Progress report....

Okay, so, progress up to this point has been somewhat slow. My piece has gone through several evolutions, and finally de-evolutions back to my original idea. I first encountered some difficulty with using pastels, then attempted to create my piece in flash and photoshop. Neither of these tools gave the same effect as the hand drawn pastel images, which have proven to be a bit more work, but a far more blended, smooth image, which is what i really wanted for this piece. So, to this point, i have completed the first scene, and managed to get a really good pencil test. My original calendar also needs to be updated , due to the fact that my estimations of the amount of frames each scene would require is way off, which means my animation might potentially end up being closer to 30 to 40 seconds, as opposed to a full minute. So, my new schedule goes as follows for the rest of the class:
Mar 30 - Apr 6
- Finish drawing the frames for scene two (cat chasing crow), pencil test (Wednesday)

Apr 7 - Apr 13
- Finish drawing frames for scene three(dog chasing cat), pencil test

Apr 14 - Apr 20
- Finish drawing frames for scene four (dog chained to tree), pencil test

Apr 21 - Apr 27
- Finish drawings for scenes, including in betweens where needed
- Draw opening and closing scenes
- Clean up in After Effects
- Incorporate in some ambient sounds where/if necessary
- Insert Animation title and credits
- Decide to either re-scan or continue with camera shots for final animation

Apr 28
- Finalize menus for the DVD (if we are taught how)
- Master final version to DVD


Annnd.... A quicktime file of my current progress.... As uploaded in my photobucket:

http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c63/Dragonwings67/?action=view¤t=smallCHAMBERS_TEST1.flv

Artist Statement - Rough Version

Jennifer Chambers's piece "Chain" focuses on the concept of the mundane, average activities that animals around us engage in, but then elevates these activities to the spritual. She accomplishes this by utilizing color and basic symbolism to characterize the animals, as opposed to true to life imagery. The silence of the piece allows for viewers to meditate upon the actions taking place before them, and focus upon their own reactions to the movement and color, creating, in essence, a symphony without sound. To achieve the blended coloration of the piece, Jennifer's technique involves the use of chalk pastels and hand blended symbols.

Animation Progress Calendar
ARTC 400 Spring 2008


Estimated Length of Animation: 50 seconds to around 1 minute

Working Title: "Chain" (Very much a working title)

Technique(s) used: Handrawn Pastel Animation


Week of:

Mar 10 - 16
- Gather Supplies, formulate basic sketches, time frame, and sequences


Mar 17 - 23
- Refine basic sketches and technique for each sequence (storyboard style)

Mar 24 - 30
- 225 frames drawn and 110 scanned

Mar 30 - Apr 6
- 225 frames drawn and 110 scanned

Apr 7 - Apr 13
- 225 frames drawn and 110 scanned

Apr 14 - Apr 20
- 225 frames drawn and 110 scanned

Apr 21 - Apr 27
- Finish scanning frames
- Clean up in After Effects
- Incorporate in some ambient sounds where/if necessary
-Insert Animation title and credits

Apr 28
- Finalize menus for the DVD (if we are taught how)
- Master final version to DVD


Notes:
You must be very specific and list measurable milestones. For instance, you may say, "I will draw 200 cards and scan in half of them" Specify how much of the animation you will work on that week and the technique or task you will perform.